Politically Exposed Person (PEP) Weekly Digest – Volume 175

175th PEP Weekly Digest:

Introducing the 175th edition of The PEP Weekly Digest, where we present to you the most recent updates and news on the global political stage.

Recent and upcoming elections influence the worldwide political landscape in eight nations, slated between Oct 04, 2026, and Nov 03, 2026. These elections hold significant importance, as they will determine the direction and governance of each respective country’s future.

Ulle Madise Takes Office as Estonia’s New President

One noteworthy event has occurred in Estonia, Ulle Madise, Estonia’s former chancellor of justice, took office as president at a ceremony in parliament in Tallinn, Estonian public broadcaster ERR reported.

Madise took the oath of office in the Session Hall of the Riigikogu, Estonia’s parliament, after outgoing President Alar Karis delivered his final address as head of state.

Madise then delivered her first speech as president.

The 51-year-old lawyer was elected president in a secret ballot in parliament, receiving 71 votes.

Born and educated in Tartu, Madise has held several public-sector positions, including at the Justice Ministry, the Riigikogu’s Constitutional Committee and the National Audit Office.

She served as chancellor of justice from 2015 and was reappointed for a second term in late 2021.

Madise was nominated by 75 members of parliament representing the Reform Party, Eesti 200, Isamaa, the Social Democrats and unaffiliated lawmakers.

Zimbabwe President Mnangagwa Appoints Kudakwashe Tagwirei as Economic Development Minister

Shifting our focus to Zimbabwe, President Mnangagwa has appointed businessman Senator Kudakwashe Tagwirei as Minister of Economic Development and Investment Promotion, while re-assigning Professor Mthuli Ncube as Minister of Finance with immediate effect.

The President also appointed Dr Egepha Victoria Jokomo as Permanent Secretary for Skills Audit and Development, with her appointment taking effect from November 1, 2026.

The changes were announced in three separate statements issued by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya.

Dr Rushwaya said Senator Tagwirei’s appointment was made in terms of Section 104(1) of the Constitution.

“His Excellency the President, Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has appointed Kudakwashe Tagwirei as Minister of Economic Development and Investment Promotion. The appointment is with immediate effect,” he said.

“In terms of Section 104, Subsection (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, His Excellency the President, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has re-assigned Hon Professor Mthuli Ncube as Minister of Finance. The re-assignment is with immediate effect,” Dr Rushwaya said.

Dr Jokomo’s appointment was made in terms of Section 205(1) of the Constitution.

“His Excellency the President, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has appointed Dr Egepha Victoria Jokomo as Permanent Secretary for Skills Audit and Development with effect from 1 November 2026,” said Dr Rushwaya in another statement.

Frehiwot Tamiru Appointed Ethiopia’s Minister of Innovation and Technology

In Ethiopia, Frehiwot Tamiru, the former Chief Executive Officer of Ethio telecom, has been approved by Ethiopia’s House of Peoples’ Representatives as the country’s Minister of Innovation and Technology.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed presented Tamiru’s background to parliament during its regular session, following her nomination to lead the ministry. She succeeds Belete Mola.

According to the background presented to parliament, Frehiwot graduated with a bachelor’s degree in information systems and earned a master’s degree in business administration. Abiy noted that she is well known to lawmakers for her time leading the state-owned telecom operator.

The Prime Minister said the government’s current strong drive for technology was the reason for her nomination. Her task, he said, will be to take Ethiopia’s technology ambition one step forward.

Her move from the telecom sector to the ministry brings together operational experience with policy responsibility. Telecommunications underpins digital services, mobile money and e-commerce, meaning her background spans the infrastructure on which much of Ethiopia’s technology agenda depends.

Tamiru’s appointment therefore places a former telecom executive at the centre of Ethiopia’s efforts to advance its technology ambitions, with responsibility for translating operational experience from the telecommunications sector into broader innovation and technology policy.

American Express Fined $350 Million Over Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Failures

In the realm of regulatory affairs, American Express was hit with a $350 million civil money penalty and a cease-and-desist order after federal regulators determined its national bank failed to maintain an adequate anti-money laundering compliance program.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency issued the fine and order against American Express National Bank, while the Federal Reserve Board issued a concurrent cease-and-desist order against American Express and its travel-related services subsidiary. The OCC said the penalty will be directed to the U.S. Treasury.

Former Libya Water Resources Minister Tariq Abdul Salam Mustafa Sentenced to Three Years for Public Funds Misuse

Shifting our attention to Libya, the Fourteenth Criminal Circuit of the Tripoli Court of Appeal sentenced the former Minister of Water Resources in the “Interim National Unity Government,” Tariq Abdul Salam Mustafa, to three years in prison, after convicting him of violations related to negligence in preserving public funds, achieving benefits for others, and harming state funds.

The Administrative Control Authority said in a statement that the in-person ruling issued on August 19, 2026, came in the wake of a public lawsuit it filed against the minister, after investigations revealed violations in the management of public funds and the use of official powers.

The authority explained that the violations included concluding two contracts with two companies through direct assignment without presenting them to the Tenders Committee, in addition to booking hotel halls and completing reservations in the names of people and disbursing living expenses without holding meetings for the ministry, as well as housing 56 people who have no job relationship with the ministry at a cost of 192,576 dinars.

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